2-Substituted benzimidazole compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy, and R.sub.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl with the proviso that R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 do not stand for hydrogen simultaneously and, when R.sub.1 is hydrogen, R.sub.2 cannot mean a methyl group at the 6th position on the pyridin-2-yl group or methyl an isobutyl group on the phenyl group; are useful as anti-inflammatory agents and/or analgesics.
Structural modification and the coronaryvasodilator activity of the calcium antagonist fostedil (KB-944) are described. Elimination of the bezothiazole ring or replacement of the benzothiazole ring of fostedil with other hetero rings leads to a decrease in vasodilator activity. Change of the distance from the aromatic ring to the phosphorus of fostedil causes a decrease in the activity. The present